Royal Irrigation Department of Thailand (RID)
Royal Irrigation Department of Thailand (RID) is the structural Thai national irrigation infrastructure authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC). Manages 36 large reservoirs (including Bhumibol and Sirikit dams), 350+ medium-weirs, and irrigation canal networks. Serves approximately 31 million rai of agricultural land across the central plains, northern river basins, and northeast plateau. Coordinates national water allocation during drought seasons under ONWR (Office of National Water Resources) direction. Critical operational authority for rice, sugarcane, cassava, and rubber cultivation cycles. Conducts annual water-release schedules that directly influence Thai crop production volumes and crop-insurance exposure.
Snapshot
Headline numbers a buyer checks first.
Established
1914
1914
Agricultural land served
31M rai
2024
Large reservoirs managed
36
2024
Including Bhumibol and Sirikit dams
Reports to
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC)
2024
Profile overview
Royal Irrigation Department of Thailand (RID) is the structural Thai national irrigation infrastructure authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC). Manages 36 large reservoirs (including Bhumibol and Sirikit dams), 350+ medium-weirs, and irrigation canal networks. Serves approximately 31 million rai of agricultural land across the central plains, northern river basins, and northeast plateau. Coordinates national water allocation during drought seasons under ONWR (Office of National Water Resources) direction. Critical operational authority for rice, sugarcane, cassava, and rubber cultivation cycles. Conducts annual water-release schedules that directly influence Thai crop production volumes and crop-insurance exposure.
Programs administered
Dam management
36 large reservoirs including Bhumibol, Sirikit
Operates 36 large reservoirs including Bhumibol Dam (13.4B m³ capacity, Ping River) and Sirikit Dam (9.5B m³, Nan River). Issues annual water-release schedules directly influencing crop-planting calendar and downstream flood risk.
Irrigation infrastructure
350+ medium weirs, canal networks
350+ medium weirs and irrigation canal networks serving 31M rai of agricultural land. Central plains, northern river basins, and northeast plateau coverage. Critical for double-cropping rice, sugarcane, cassava cultivation.
Water allocation
Drought-season water rationing
Coordinates national water allocation under ONWR direction during drought seasons. Issues water-use restrictions for agriculture, industrial users, and municipal supply during El Nino / La Nina weather cycles.
Investment program
Infrastructure expansion
Capital budget for new reservoir construction, canal rehabilitation, and sensor-based smart-irrigation systems. Multi-year investment plans under national water strategy framework.
Major RID reservoirs — storage capacity
Bhumibol and Sirikit are the two largest; reservoir storage is the key drought-risk variable
Bhumibol Dam
River basin
Ping River
Capacity (B m³)
13.4
Region served
Central plains, upper Chao Phraya
Sirikit Dam
River basin
Nan River
Capacity (B m³)
9.5
Region served
Central plains, Nan corridor
Ubolrat Dam
River basin
Chi River
Capacity (B m³)
2.4
Region served
Northeast (Khon Kaen)
Pa Sak Jolasid Dam
River basin
Pa Sak River
Capacity (B m³)
0.96
Region served
Central, flood buffer
| Reservoir | River basin | Capacity (B m³) | Region served |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhumibol Dam | Ping River | 13.4 | Central plains, upper Chao Phraya |
| Sirikit Dam | Nan River | 9.5 | Central plains, Nan corridor |
| Ubolrat Dam | Chi River | 2.4 | Northeast (Khon Kaen) |
| Pa Sak Jolasid Dam | Pa Sak River | 0.96 | Central, flood buffer |
Key drivers 2025-2026
Water storage levels
Annual reservoir storage cycle
Bhumibol and Sirikit storage at start of dry season (November) is the primary lead indicator for rice and sugarcane crop-insurance exposure and Central Plains agricultural output.
Climate risk
El Nino and La Nina cycles
2024-2025 El Nino dry period stressed northeastern reservoir storage. La Nina pattern in 2025-2026 may improve central-plain storage but risks flooding in low-lying agricultural areas.
Digital water management
Smart irrigation investments
RID deploying IoT sensors and remote-controlled sluice gates under national water-management modernisation plan. Improves water-use efficiency and reduces crop-failure risk for smallholders.
Where this profile is featured
Reports that reference this entity in their operator concentration or analysis.
Featured in
Thai Climate and Flood Risk: 2011 Floods Legacy and 2026 Adaptation
Manages Thai water-resource and flood-defence infrastructure; primary flood-mitigation authority.
Featured in
Songkran Economics: How Thailand's Water Festival Drives a USD 3-5B...
Manages Thai water-resource and flood-defence infrastructure; primary flood-mitigation authority.
Featured in
Thai Water Utility: MWA, PWA, EAST WATER, and the Bangkok Water Dis...
Manages Thai water-resource and flood-defence infrastructure; primary flood-mitigation authority.
Related Market profiles
Peers, parents, partners, agencies, and other Agriculture & Food actors.
Competitor
Department of Agriculture of Thailand (DOA)
Thai agricultural research, plant protection, and export certification authority under MOAC; issues phytosanitary certificates for Thailand's $43.5B+ agricultural export.
Open Market profile →
Competitor
Asia Modified Starch Co., Ltd.
Thai private modified tapioca starch manufacturer producing specialty industrial and food-grade starches for regional export customers.
Open Market profile →
Competitor
Global Bubble-Tea Tapioca Pearl Demand Cluster
Aggregate demand cluster for tapioca pearls driven by the global bubble-tea industry; a significant growth driver for Thai cassava starch since 2018.
Open Market profile →
Sector peer
Thai Cave Concession Families (Bird’s Nest Cave-Tier Rights)
Hereditary Thai families holding provincial concessions for edible bird’s nest harvesting from natural limestone caves, primarily in southern Thailand.
Open Market profile →
Reports featuring this profile
Thailand Precision Irrigation & Smart Water 2027 Market Intelligence
Lead agency for irrigation infrastructure, SWOC, drip pilots
Open report →
Thai Climate and Flood Risk: 2011 Floods Legacy and 2026 Adaptation
Manages Thai water-resource and flood-defence infrastructure; primary flood-mitigation authority.
Open report →
Sits alongside 4 other Atlas profilesSongkran Economics: How Thailand's Water Festival Drives a USD 3-5B April Spike
Manages Thai water-resource and flood-defence infrastructure; primary flood-mitigation authority.
Open report →
Sits alongside 5 other Atlas profilesThai Water Utility: MWA, PWA, EAST WATER, and the Bangkok Water Distribution Backbone
Manages Thai water-resource and flood-defence infrastructure; primary flood-mitigation authority.
Open report →
Sits alongside 5 other Atlas profilesRelated Market profiles
competitor
Department of Agriculture of Thailand (DOA)
Thai agricultural research, plant protection, and export certification authority under MOAC; issues phytosanitary certificates for Thailand's THB 1.5T+ agricultural export.
competitor
Asia Modified Starch Co., Ltd.
Thai private modified tapioca starch manufacturer producing specialty industrial and food-grade starches for regional export customers.
competitor
Global Bubble-Tea Tapioca Pearl Demand Cluster
Aggregate demand cluster for tapioca pearls driven by the global bubble-tea industry; a significant growth driver for Thai cassava starch since 2018.